Maritime Oil Spills: A Disaster in Decline

Oil Tankers: An Essential Commodity

For a world used to doomsday theories, here is a whiff of fresh, green air. Maritime oil spills have rapidly decimated in the past quarter century despite the steady increase in oil trading since the mid-1980s. 2014 recorded the lowest number of spills in the last 25 years.

Firefighting @ Oil Spill Fire

(Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/newzealand/8812598/10-largest-oil-spills-in-history.html)

Since 1970, the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation (ITOPF) records statistics on accidental oil spills from tankers, barges, and combined carriers. The ITOPF however does not maintain a database of spills caused by acts of war.

Maritime oil spills are an environmental disaster with the effects lingering on for decades. Plus they are bad for the economy and wreck havoc on the tourism industry. Regulators, government, and the industry deserve accolades for creating and maintaining high operational standards for maritime oil transport.

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